The majority of the characters in Arcane Heroes could be recruited by the players, but the key figures of the world were out of reach: the kings, queens, pope, and many more key figures in the world.
One of those characters was Countess Drafaira Pendragon. Hailing from the Basara Kingdom, she moved to Union City to avoid the political matters in the kingdom.
"Who are these rats?" Drafaira asked as she carved a hole in the armrest of her chair using her claws.
"They are officially referred to as players. They are humans from another world and possess an incredible amount of information about our world," her butler explained.
"Considering their lack of attempts to approach me, I take it they lack information about me."
"We are uncertain," the butler replied.
"Then find out!" Drafaira yelled.
The butler ran out of the room in fear. "You're as hot-tempered as always," a voice echoed through the room as a ripple in space opened.
An elderly man came out of the opening. "I do not recall allowing you to enter my chambers, August."
The man ignored her words and glanced out the window. "Have you gained interest in those players?"
"They're an annoyance."
"How so?" August asked. "Aside from their potential, they're no different than the average human."
"You seem fond of them," Drafaira narrowed her eyes at August.
"Did you know that pure manasteel could restore a monster's physical body?"
"What kind of nonsense is that?"
"Add in a cursed item and an identity tag scroll. You'll get a familiar."
"Lies."
"I wish it was."
Drafaira looked confused. "What are you getting at, old man?"
August hummed. "I observed a player perform the endeavor with such ease that it made me question my life's work. Yet, when I attempted it, I failed miserably."
"Sounds like a you problem," Drafaira commented.
August looked disturbed at her choice of words. "Your odd choice of words aside. I had every senior alchemist in the association to attempt the process, and none had succeeded."
"Get to the point, old man."
"You still have your familiar's core," August stated.
Drafaira's expression grew visibly irate. "He's dead."
"And I'm stating there's a method to bring him back."
Drafaira's mana began to flare, scorching everything around her.
"Where is the player you mentioned?"
------
"You killed him!" Artemis yelled.
"Technically, she did," I pointed at Lilith.
"He wished to do the same," Lilith replied.
I shrugged. "She has a point," I approached Macho's body.
"What are you planning?!" Artemis aimed her broken sword at me, but it was shot out of her hands by Lilith.
"Final warning," Lilith glared at her.
I turned to Artemis. "I won't stop her," I stated. "I don't know what your deal is, but leave me alone because I don't give a crap about you and the other players."
As I finished speaking, Lilith drained all the blood from Macho's body, thinning him out and making it easier to take his armor.
"You can keep the axe," I said as I left with Lilith.
------
"Three weeks?!" I exclaimed in frustration. "Why the hell does it take that long to deliver fruits?"
"Union City is as big as a Kingdom, and your order is from another district," Michelle responded. "The district's primary resource is lumber and wheat."
I sighed. "I miss supermarkets..."
A week had passed since Lilith's ascension, and now, we were planning potential businesses. The one we were currently discussing was about an ice cream shop.
Why? Because I miss ice cream.
"How do you plan on making this ice cream you mentioned?" Michelle asked. "You said that a main requirement for it was ice. Only nobles have access to ice," Michelle gave me a knowing look after mentioning the last part.
"I'll figure something out."
"Horns!" Erina ran towards us carrying a bison horn.
"Thank you," she giggled as I patted her head.
"I'm starting to get concerned about all that money," Michelle mentioned as she stared at the horn. "I already spent a good chunk of it improving the farm, but there's still a couple of gold coins left."
"What about having a bigger house built? Or expand the land?" I suggested.
"No offense. But unless you plan on staying here, I'm uncomfortable expanding this place."
"I'll consider it."
After our conversation, I decided to head to the adventurer's guild. It had been a long time since I did a commission, only stopping by to sell the bison horns.
"How can I help you today?" Elise gave me a warm greeting.
"Still no other adventurers?" I asked since she still lacked a line of people at her counter.
Elise scratched the back of her head. "I'm still the lowest-ranking receptionist here."
"Would it help if I did some commissions?"
"It would, but ranking up would need more than that," Elise mentioned. "Don't worry. It just takes time."
I nodded in understanding. "Is there a commission involving the Stromheim forest?"
"That's a level five hunting ground," Elise's expression became firm. "Do you plan on going with a party?"
I looked away.
"I'm fairly aware of your avoidance of human interactions."
I cringed. "Was it that obvious?"
"Mr. Zed. The only people you've talked to for the duration you've been a guild member are Ms. Star and me, who is currently inactive as an adventurer."
"..."
"Please don't go to such a dangerous place alone."
I raised my hands in surrender. "I'll hold off in surrender."
"If you want to do a commission, there's someone that actually requested you."
"Me?"
"Here," Elise handed me the commission paper.
Before I took a look at the paper, I remembered something. "Is there a way to find out what my class can do?"
Elise looked at me in confusion. "You don't know what your class can do?"
"Yes?"
"That's odd. You learn everything about your class the moment you get it."
"It gave me a skill," I added.
"Can you tell me the name of your job?"
"Hero Maker."
"Sounds important," Elise said in amazement. "But doesn't it sound obvious?"
"Not exactly."
Elise just got even more confused.
------
"Can't I just click it?" I muttered as I opened my status screen and tried clicking on the job section.
My hand just phased through the panel.
"Figures..."
"You must be Zed."
"Huh?" I saw an elderly man with long white hair and wearing a purple robe.
We were in the middle of the road with tons of people walking past us.
"I'm the one who asked for you."
"Oh..."
"Follow me," a portal opened in the middle of the road, causing the people around us to move away in a panic.
I followed him inside. "Was that necessary?"
The man ignored me as he went to his desk. Looking around, I noticed the whole room was filled with books. The walls were turned into shelves and held hundreds of books.
"What did you want from me?"
"You were able to create living creatures using alchemy."
"And?"
"How did you achieve such a feat?"
"If you know about then you already know the materials required," I replied. "Using the fusion scroll isn't that hard."
"Every senior alchemist in the association failed."
"Well, I don't know what else to tell you."
The man's lack of courtesy already ticked me off, and his questioning just added fuel. It was clear this man had a high position, but I wasn't one of his subordinates.
"Are we done here?"
"You can't leave until I figure out the solution."
At that point, I was already grinding my teeth in annoyance. But before I could say anything, the door to the room exploded in flames.
"Where is he?!" A woman with fiery red hair burst into the room.
The first thing I noticed was that her hands weren't normal. It was covered in red scales and had black claws. Her hair was like wild flames, and her tan skin mixed well with her amber eyes.
Her eyes landed on me. For a brief moment, her eyes shined an amber hue.
"Drafaira-"
The old man tried to say something but was silenced by a fierce glare from the woman.
"You're coming with me," she pointed at me.
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"I'd rather just go home."
As the words left my mouth, her eyes flashed. My body immediately froze up like something was holding me in place. The old man didn't protest as the woman dragged me away.
------
"What's with the sudden call, cap?" Pjsplit asked. "I thought it was a day off?"
"We need to discuss something urgent," Artemis said as she took off the blanket on the table to reveal an axe.
Cocomon reacted. "This is an event weapon."
"You recognize it?" Artemis asked.
"It was a reward for an exclusive Belegorn Kingdom event where you mine a rare stone," Cocomon explained. "Macho won the event."
"He won it here too then," Artemis mentioned.
"Then how is it here?" A dark-skinned man asked.
He was an African player called, Sterk. He was the tallest player on her team and was their combat mage. He was usually quiet, so Artemis was curious why he reacted as well.
"Well, I encountered Macho," Artemis mentioned.
"Where is he now?" Cocomon asked.
"Dead," Artemis revealed. "He attacked me and another player. He was incredibly strong and had amazing armor."
"But he still died?"
Artemis nodded.
"Who was the other player?" a woman in her early twenties asked.
She was a Korean player called Ruby. She was their team's main archer and served as their scout from time to time.
"Was it Psysen?" Pinky spoke. "I heard you encountered him last time we went to a hunting ground."
Artemis shook her head. "It's a player far worse than Psysen."
"There's someone worse than the guy that kill-steals monsters and hordes unique materials?" Gumdrop asked.
"Zed," Artemis stated.
Gumdrop and Pjspilt laughed.
"What's funny?" Artemis glared at them.
"No offense, captain but Zed was only a nuisance to the high-rankers," Pinky said. "We barely interacted with him at all."
"If anything, we liked the dude," Gumdrop added. "He pretty much kept the high-rankers busy enough to let us play."
Artemis just stared at her team in betrayal.
------
"I demand a lawyer!" I yelled as Drafaira dragged me into a carriage.
She tossed me into the back and flexed her claws in my face. "One more pointless word out of you and I will use these claws to carve your face."
I nodded.
She sat on the other end of the carriage, then it began to move. "You have a unique class."
I nodded.
"Is it how you bring monsters back to life?"
I shook my head.
"Then you obtained it by bringing monsters back to life."
I nodded.
"Can you bring this back to life?" a small portal opened and then she pulled out a monster core.
I stared at it, trying to figure out what monster it belonged to. In the game, a panel would describe the items. I didn't have that. I looked back at her.
"Talk!" She yelled.
I raised my hands in surrender. "What monster is it?" I asked.
"A drake," she answered. "It was my familiar."
"I'm not sure how it would work for other people..."
"August mentioned that all his experienced alchemists failed," Drafaira stated. "But you succeeded with no issues. Twice."
I shrugged.
"I will provide you with the materials. Demonstrate it to my alchemist, then we will discuss this," she raised the drake core.
I had a pretty good feeling refusing wasn't an option here, but I didn't want to be a pushover for these people. “What’s in it for me?”
"I will compensate you for your time," she stated. "How much do you want?"
"Money won't do much when people like that old man come to bother me."
"So you want status or power?"
"What do you think?"
"Power would suit you better."
-----
"One frost raptor core, one pure manasteel cube, one cursed dagger, one identity tag, and one fusion scroll," the butler listed the items he brought before me.
"How did you get these so fast?" I asked.
I asked for the items while we were still in the carriage, but when we arrived at this room, these were already there.
"Get started," Drafaira demanded.
Beside her was an alchemist who would perform the process next and a mage to observe and figure out how things would happen.
I activated the scroll, and the light show followed. After a while, a blue raptor came out. Dagger-like spines ran down its back, and a blade-like tip adorned its tail. Its more lethal appearance was the result of the cursed item since normal frost raptors lacked any spikes on their backs.
Looking at the raptor, I was reminded of a dinosaur movie that came out several years ago.
"... I'll call you Blue."
[Blue
Level 1
Title: None
Job: Frostblade raptor (Unique)
Stats:
Strength D
Agility D
Vitality D
Dexterity D
Sense D
Magic D
Charm D
Luck D
Frostbite D]
"Neat."
[You have successfully created a hero]
[You have been granted the unique stat: Creator]
[All created Heroes have their stats increased in accordance to Creator]
[Agility has been enhanced]
[Sense has been enhanced]
[Vitality has been enhanced]
[Creator has been enhanced]
[Zed
Level 3
Title: None
Job: Hero Maker
Stats:
Strength D+
Agility D-
Vitality C-
Dexterity D
Sense E+
Magic D+
Charm D
Luck A+
Adaptability C
Creator F]
As I was admiring the improvements to my stats, both the alchemist and the mage beside Drafaira were speechless at the scene.
"Lady Pendragon, there was barely any mana fluctuation, but the mana imagery was beyond a level even I, a level seven mage, could comprehend," the mage explained while the alchemist remained quiet.
"Mana imagery?" I asked since it caught my attention.
"It is the process of giving mana an appearance," the mage replied. "Like a ball of flame or spear of light."
"And I did that?"
The mage nodded. "You could use all the mana condensed inside the manasteel cube into the monster core, reforming its body along with the modifications."
I don't remember doing any of that.
"Enough of that," Drafaira spoke up. "Can you do it?" she asked the alchemist.
"I will try, Lady Pendragon," the alchemist responded.
The butler provided the same materials to the alchemist. I eagerly waited for the results since I wanted to know how it looked from a spectator's perspective.
The alchemist activated the fusion scroll, and the magic circle appeared under all the materials. But instead of a pillar of light following, the magic circle just shattered.
"There was an intense level of mana fluctuation, causing the magic circle to shatter and most of the mana from the manasteel cube to dissipate," the mage explained.
"The mana imagery?" Drafaira asked.
"Compared to the young man who could shape the whole raptor, the alchemist barely formed the head," the mage answered.
"Who else would be capable of that level of mana imagery?"
"A high-level summoner," the mage replied.
"Bring me another fusion scroll and manasteel," Drafaira ordered.
The butler hurriedly obeyed, and then she attempted to make a Hero. It had the same outcome as the alchemist's attempt. The annoyance on her face was visible, and he turned towards the alchemist and the mage.
"Can the process be altered?" she questioned.
I got curious as well.
"Theoretically, if Lady Pendragon is the one supplying mana. The summoned creature would respond to her mana signature even if the young man is the one providing the mana imagery," the mage explained.
"Let's attempt it," Drafaira gestured for me to come closer as her butler brought another fusion scroll and manasteel cube.
"Both of you would need to be holding the fusion scroll," the mage instructed.
I held on to one end of the scroll while Drafaira held the other. The scroll was ripped, and the magic circle appeared once again. I expected it to fail again, but the pillar of light followed.
The cursed item provided this time was a diamond necklace, so when the raptor appeared, it was completely different from Blue. It had no dagger-like spines. Instead, it had diamond claws.
I stared at it for a while, waiting for something to happen. "What's supposed to happen?" Drafaira asked me.
"Try naming it."
"You shall be named..." Drafaira stared at its claws. "Jewel."
"It was a success, Lady Pendragon. You and the monster have identical mana signatures," the mage revealed.
"Then shall we proceed with the next one?" Drafaira took out the Drake core and an identity tag.
I sighed. I might as well get things done now. Once the butler prepared all the required materials, we repeated the process. Instead of a white pillar of light, it was a crimson-red.
I could feel the temperature in the room rising. "This is new..."
A clawed hand stepped out of the pillar of light. I could see the tremendous amount of mana surrounding its red scales and black claws.
"Welcome back," Drafaira approached the drake as its whole body was revealed.
Standing on all four legs, it stood at two meters tall. It exuded an overwhelming presence that made the two raptors in the room be on guard.
"Talk about presence," I muttered.
"That is Lady Pendragon's familiar, Igneel," the butler mentioned. "Her companion who has been with her since she was young."
"So... if I somehow get a familiar's core, the hero created might be better."
A theory to test in the future.
------
The sound of steel clashing with steel rang out the training field. I was sent tumbling across the ground as Drafaira's claws struck my shield.
"Your stats are impressive for a level three, but it hardly matters when you don't know how to utilize it," Drafaira commented.
"I noticed," I grumbled as I got up.
The reward I requested from Drafaira was proper training. I lacked any form of combat experience. If I wanted to enjoy my life in this world, I needed to ensure I could survive in it first.
"Have you decided on what role you wish to fill?" Drafaira asked as she dashed towards me and half-heartedly struck my side with a punch.
Despite the lack of effort put into her attack, I still staggered back in pain.
"Not really."
"Then decide soon," Drafaira said as she sent three balls of flame towards me.
I managed the first one, but the following two sent me tumbling on the ground again. "Is this necessary?"
"I need to get an idea of your level," Drafaira answered. "Your lack of any combat experience is evident. All the attacks I threw at you could be blocked by an average human in this world."
"I'm that bad, huh."
"Yes," Drafaira tossed me a wooden sword. "You have the weapon mastery skill, correct?" I nodded. "We'll make use of that."
"How?"
"You will be constantly sparring with different weapons to make your body adjust to combat."
"I've been training with it for a while."
"Having an opponent makes a big difference," Drafaira stated. "Your skill will correct your movements. All you need to do is familiarize yourself with it."
"Who am I going to be sparring against?"
"They will be different each time."
I nodded. "And you're first?"
Drafaira grinned. "You catch on quickly."
"Damn..."
------
One year later.
[You have leveled up]
[You have reached level 5]
[You have been promoted to Valkyrie]
[You have gained the skill: Odin's eyes]
Artemis panted as she drew her blade from the corpse of a monster. After a year, she had finally reached level five and upgraded her class.
"Congratulations, captain," Pinky handed her a water flask.
"Thank you," Artemis accepted the flask. "Where's everybody else?"
"They're still in their groups," Pinky answered.
To level up faster, Artemis divided her team into two teams of four. Gumdrop and Pjsplit were on one team with one archer and support mage, while Cocomon was on a team with one archer and two combat mages.
"Call them back. We're done for today," Artemis instructed.
Pinky did a salute before leaving. Now that she was alone, Artemis checked her stats.
[Artemis
Level 5
Title: None
Job: Valkyrie
Stats:
Strength C
Agility C
Vitality C-
Dexterity A
Sense B
Magic D
Charm B-
Luck C+]
[Skills:
Advanced weapon mastery (92%)
Aura reinforcement (89%)
Empowerment (92%)
Solaris blade(48%)
Odin's eye(0%)]
She had finally gained an appraisal skill, and it was an exclusive one to her class. She'll test it out later. For now, they needed to get back to the city.
When Artemis and her team arrived at the city, she took a minute to admire her surroundings. There was no sign of the destruction that happened a year ago, and some players had some influence in the construction of new buildings.
"Want to go to a restaurant, cap?" Pinky asked.
"No, thank you. I have to meet someone today."
Pinky gasped. "Captain has a date!"
She glared at the other members of her team before they could even react. "Commander Nerisa asked me to accompany her to meet with Countess Pendragon."
Several members flinched.
"I see some of you experienced the last event before we got transported here," Artemis commented.
"I still remember her decimating my whole team," Gumdrop muttered.
Countess Drafaira Pendragon was previously unavailable for recruitment, but she appeared as an opponent in the latest event of Arcane Heroes. She had powerful skills and a combat pattern that was hard to predict.
Since she was introduced late into the game, many players didn't know much about her. Even the high-rankers barely had any interactions with her.
"Good luck, captain," Pinky said before they separated ways.
Artemis headed to Nerisa's office, but she ran into her on the way there. "There you are. Let's head there now."
Artemis tried to use her new skill on Nerisa.
[Appraisal failed]
She expected that, considering Nerisa was one of the strongest characters in Union City.
"How are we heading to her estate?"
"We're taking a carriage," Nerisa answered.
Artemis nodded. It took a while, but they got on a carriage and were finally on their way there.
"May I ask why you chose me to accompany you?"
"Countess Pendragon is currently training a player. She asked me to bring someone for a spar."
"A player got close to her?" Artemis looked shocked.
"It seems so," Nerisa replied. "And you will be sparring with them."
Artemis remained quiet as she contemplated Nerisa's words. When they arrived at her estate, they were greeted by a butler. They were led to a reception room and waited for Lady Pendragon to arrive.
"Is there anything I should keep in mind?" Artemis asked.
"Never mention her Drake."
"Understood."
A moment later, the door to the reception room opened. Drafaira Pendragon entered the room followed by her butler and another person that both Artemis and Nerisa recognized.
Artemis activated her skill and saw the stats of her sparring partner.
[Zed
Level 3
Title: None
Job: Hero Maker
Stats:
Strength C
Agility C
Vitality C
Dexterity B
Sense C+
Magic B-
Charm C+
Luck S
Adaptability B+
Creator E]
[Advance weapon mastery (98%)]
[Advance barrier magic (89%)]
[Hero call (10%)]